Orthopedic supporter



`lune 7, 1932.

ORTHOPEDIC SUPPORTER Filed July :51, 1930 /NveN rw W WIM@ Patented June 7, 1932 UNITED STATES MANUEL GAO, F BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA ORTHOPEDIC SUPPORTER Application filed July 31,

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in the manufacture of orthopedic abdominal supporters, designed to be worn by persons suffering from visceroptosis or other abdominal troubles, for the correction or improvement of which the use of a supporter of the kind according to this.

invention is required.

The results attained by the use of the orthoo pedic supporters heretofore employed are generally known, as well as the several deliciencies inherent thereto, so that it has been deemed unnecessary to particularly enumerate the same in this specification. In conse; quence, I shall only describe the improved supporter in accordance with my invention and in order to facilitate the clear understanding of this specification, a sheet of illustrative drawing has been annexed thereto, in which like numbers of reference have been used to indicate the same visible parts in the several views of the same.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the 1mproved orthopedic supporter in accordance with my invention. a

Figure 2 is a detached plan view of the internal mechanism of the supporting device for the lower abdomen.

Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the same device as illustrated in Figure 2.

As will be readily understood by referring to said drawing, the supporter consists of a rectangular band of resilient fabric, of proper width, to suit the particular requirements of the patient. Said band of elastic fabric 1 1s reinforced and prevented from forming folds or creases by the arrangement of a convenient number of suitably lined whalebones or metallic staves 2, and at both ends of the band, respectively, are secured the buckles 3 with the .corresponding straps or elastic ribbons 4. The metallic arched staves 5, provided with a suitable lining, are secured to the supporter at the place corresponding with the iliac crests, so as to follow their upper contour.

The end 6 of each of said staves 5 is formed integral with a small disc 7 of Celluloid, for the purpose of assisting in holding the supporter firmly applied to the body. The end 8 of said staves 5 is connected at 9 with the 1930. Serial No. 472,108.

adjacent end of the axle 10 of the operating means of the supporting device for the lower abdomen. The connections 9 are in the form of joints which permit the supporter to readily accommodate itself to the shape of the 5'5 body of the wearer but prevent the axle 10 from turning about its own axis. The supporting device for the lower part of the abdomen consists of a casing 11 of celluloid, of half-moon shape, and the operating device enclosed therein includes a small plate 12, secured in position by means of the screws 13, said plate having angular ends 14, provided with holes for the passage of the aXle 10. In the middle, the aXle 10 is formed 65' with a forked part 15, between which is mounted a nut 16. A screw 17 is threaded into the nut 16, with its head 18 projecting outside the celluloid casing 11. The nut 16 is provided with laterally projecting pins 16al 70 engaging slots 1Gb in the forks 15.

The manner of using the supporter and the operation of the device as above described, are as follows A- The supporter is applied to the body, on the abdomen, in such a way that the supporting device for the lower part of the abdomen will fit the hypogastrium, thereby causing the staves 5 to encircle the body above the iliac crests, in which position they will be mainso tained with the aid of the Celluloid discs 7. The supporter is finally attached in position by means of the buckles 3 and corresponding straps or similar means 4.

The degree of pressure exerted by the device 11 for supporting the lower abdomen may be adjusted by turning the screw 17 by means of its head 18. In this way, the said screw 17 will be displaced relative to the nut H 16, the latter being held in the fork 15 of the 90 axle 1() which is held against rotation owing to its jointed connection with the ends 8 of the staves 5, and will cause the device 11 to take a more or less inclined position in an inward Y or outward direction. 65

I claim An abdominal supporter comprising a body embracing band, curved hip embracing staves secured to said band, an abdomen supporting device, said device including ay cas- 10 sus ing, an axle rotatably supported on said casing, forked members carried by said axle, means non-rotatably connecting the ends of the axle with the adjacent ends of the staves permitting angular movement; of the latter with respect to the axle and preventing rotation of the axle7 an adjusting screw rotatably mounted on the casing and held against axial displacement relative thereto, and a. nut Carried by the forked members and threaded on said screw.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

MANUEL CAO. 

